Around the area & state: Driver struck, killed by her own car

A 31-year-old woman was killed by her own car around 2:30 a.m. Saturday in south Houston.

The woman had pulled her Nissan Maxima over on the shoulder at 3300 Dixie and was standing in front of it when another vehicle struck her car from behind, said John Cannon with the Houston Police Department.

The woman died at the scene. The other driver, in a Buick LeSabre, showed no signs of intoxication or impairment, Cannon said.

4-year-old girl accidently shot by cousin, 10

A 10-year-old accidently shot his 4-year-old cousin in the leg in north Harris County Saturday, authorities said.

The boy found a rifle inside the girl's home in the 1400 block of Danby Heath Lane and fired the weapon around 11:45 a.m., said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland.

The bullet struck the lower part of the girl's leg. Paramedics took her to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

At this time, no charges have been filed. Child Protective Services investigators are also looking into the case to determine how the child accessed the firearm, as well as whether there are any other issues in the home, said agency spokeswoman Estella Olguin. She added that at this time, it was reported to CPS that adults were present when the shooting took place.

Associated prof suspended over phony Rx case

ARLINGTON - An associate professor of communications at the University of Texas at Arlington has been suspended with pay after being accused of money laundering.

Denton police arrested Eronini Megwa and his wife, Susan Jenevive Megwa, after an investigation of Megs Discount Pharmacy. Susan Jenevive Megwa owns the pharmacy and Eronini Megwa received regular paychecks from the business.

Investigators say the pharmacy was known as a place to dispense receive medications using phony prescriptions.

A journal of cash transactions obtained during a search of the couple's home also showed $223,000 had been wired to Nigeria from the pharmacy in 2011 and 2012.

Dentist quits state board over bathroom photos

BRYAN - A dentist appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to a state board has resigned from the panel after being arrested on accusations he secretly recorded an employee as she changed clothes.

Dr. William Birdwell was a member of the Texas Board of Dental Examiners until his resignation Friday. Bryan police spokeswoman Kelley McKethan said that Birdwell, 67, is charged with improper photography.

He was booked into the Brazos County jail and later released on a $10,000 bail.